Is Lexus NX built in Japan?
Yes — but not exclusively. The Lexus NX is built in several countries to serve different markets, including Japan, Canada and China. Production location varies by model year and market, with assembly lines both domestically in Japan and abroad.
Global production footprint
To meet global demand, Lexus distributes NX production across several sites. The main assembly locations today include Canada for North American sales, as well as China for the local market, with additional production in Japan for domestic sales and limited exports. The exact mix can shift with new model years to optimize efficiency and supply chains.
- Canada — Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) operates a Cambridge, Ontario plant that builds the NX for North American markets.
- China — The NX is assembled by the FAW-Toyota joint venture for the Chinese market, with production at its Changshu plant to supply local customers.
- Japan — Lexus continues to manufacture NX units in Japan for domestic sales, and in some years for export to select markets.
The distribution of NX production across these sites reflects Toyota/Lexus’ global manufacturing strategy: local production in key regions reduces lead times and import tariffs while ensuring market-specific compliance and options.
North American production
In Canada, the NX is built at Cambridge, which has evolved to include the NX in its production lineup alongside other Toyota and Lexus models. This supports deliveries to the United States and Canada, aligning with regional demand and supplier networks.
Chinese production
China’s FAW-Toyota plants in Changshu handle NX production for the domestic market, allowing Lexus to tailor to local preferences and meet local content requirements while avoiding import duties for imports from abroad.
Domestic-market Japan production
Japan continues to produce NX units for the Japanese market, with production allocation designed to balance domestic demand and export needs. This keeps the brand responsive to demand fluctuations and strengthens supply resilience for Japan.
What this means for buyers
For consumers, this multi-site production means the NX sold in a given country may be built in a different plant than the NX sold elsewhere, sometimes with feature and option variance by market. Vehicle identification numbers and build codes can indicate the facility of origin, but for most buyers the important point is that the NX remains a globally produced model with parts and quality controls aligned across plants.
Summary
The Lexus NX is not manufactured solely in Japan. Its production is spread across several sites worldwide — notably in Canada for North America, in China for the local market, and in Japan for domestic and some export needs — as part of Lexus’ global manufacturing strategy. This approach helps Lexus meet regional demand efficiently while maintaining brand quality worldwide.
Where is the NX built?
The Lexus NX is made in multiple locations, including Cambridge, Ontario, Canada and Japan (specifically the Tahara and Kyushu plants in Fukuoka). The country of origin depends on the specific model, hybrid version, and market.
You can watch this video to see the production line of the Lexus NX in Canada: 59sLSFTYouTube · Feb 17, 2023
- Canada: The Cambridge, Ontario plant manufactures the NX and NX Hybrid, particularly for the North American market.
- Japan: Other production facilities, like the one in Kyushu, Fukuoka, also produce the NX and NX Hybrid for various markets.
- Market specific: The specific location where a vehicle is made can depend on which market it is built for. For example, the plug-in hybrid version may be built in Japan, while non-plug-in hybrids might be built in Canada.
Which Lexus is built in Japan?
Many Lexus models are built in Japan, including the LS, IS, GX, and LC, though the specific manufacturing plant varies by model. The Tahara plant is a primary Lexus factory, and other models like the ES, UX, and NX are also produced in Japan at facilities like the Miyata and Kyushu plants.
Lexus models built in Japan by plant
- Tahara Plant (Tahara, Aichi): LS, IS, GX, LX, and RC
- Motomachi Plant (Toyota City, Aichi): LC
- Yoshiwara Plant (Toyota City, Aichi): LX
- Miyata Plant (Miyawaka, Fukuoka): IS and ES
- Kyushu Plant (Miyawaka, Fukuoka): UX, NX, ES, and RX
Is the Lexus NX assembled in the US?
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, Inc. (Cambridge, Ontario, Canada): Lexus NX, NX Hybrid, RX, & RX Hybrid. Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc. (Georgetown, Kentucky, United States): Lexus ES.
What is the Lexus NX built on?
The Lexus NX is based on the same Toyota New Global Architecture-K (TNGA-K) platform as the Toyota RAV4, sharing a similar structure and wheelbase. However, the NX is a distinct luxury vehicle with unique styling, interior design, suspension, and a range of upscale features and options not found on the RAV4.
- Shared platform: Both models are built on the same TNGA-K platform, which provides a foundation for their structure and dimensions.
- Shared components: They also share some similar powertrains and software, with the Lexus version often offering higher performance or different hybrid options.
- Key differences: The Lexus NX has its own unique interior, advanced technology, a more premium finish, and distinct suspension tuning, making it a more luxurious and expensive offering than the RAV4.
- Manufacturing: Some reports note that the NX and RAV4 are even built on the same production lines, highlighting the shared underlying platform.
